The Campaign For DA

2.22.2011

With looming teacher cuts, today an offer was made for any employee with 20 years of service to voluntary retire in exchange for a one time payment of 10% of their salary (not to exceed $6,000.) This is limited to the first seven employees to take advantage of the offer. (Dallas ISD announced a similar program today with a cap of $10,000.)

It also looks like each campus will have staff reductions of at least 15%.

The Public workers do not understand what the norm is out in the job market.Workers in the real world pay 50% of their health care and all of their retirement (maybe a 3% match in their 401K)with no guarantee of this earning anything. And oh yeah, no job security.If the union workers do not like what they are being offered they are free to find another job, that is the way most do it.

The impending state of educational finance in this state has nothing to do with any local school boards or districts anywhere in the state. It has to do with the fact that several years ago, the state legislature decided it would be a good idea to restructure the income for the state. That restructure has now caused an estimated $27 BILLION shortfall. That will now get passed on to school districts and other state run agencies. To imply that any impending layoffs are the fault of any district is ignorant and uninformed. The state is more than likely going to severely cut the funding for school districts, to the tune of up to $10 Billion. This is forcing districts to cut their budgets as well. With 85% of district expenditures dedicated to salaries, you can't expect to cut spending without cutting salaries. If your cuts are planned to be minimal, you can more than likely take care of those positions through attrition, and if you have people contemplating retiring, offering incentives up to $42,000 makes sense so that you don't have to cut $420,000 worth of salaries for next year, hence saving 7 other people's jobs. Barry, it's always funny to read the opinions and comments on your blog.

Although there are some big numbers being tossed around, we still don't know how big these cuts might be? Will they tap into the multi-billion "rainy day" fund? We still don't know? What about the $750 million coming now from the federal government? Maybe the deficit has been overstated purposely (posturing) to make it look as if the ultimate cuts are not as big as they could have been.

Maybe such incentives should be used later but, don't offer them now. Come up with contingency plans now. Take action when all parts of the equation are in place. Measure twice, cut once.

Barry, it's always funny to read the opinions and comments on your blog

Count the coaches, asst. admin's. councelors, regular classroom teachers, aides, etc. on staff in Alvord TODAY. Then see what the numbers are come the first day of school. If the numbers are the same or go up, come on this blog and say "I told you so" and sign your name. You will look like a genius. If the numbers go down, particularly in areas other than classroom teachers, come on here and say you were wrong and sign your name. You be widely held as a person of character and gain a great deal f respect in your community. Either way, you're probably too big a chicken s#&t with no guts to do so. Me, I don't have a dog in the hunt; child, relative or taxes. But I hate people who assasinate the character and efforts of others through innuendo, rumor, etc. The Alvord board appears to be using their God given common sense to see what "the rules of the game" are going to be instead of reacting like Chicken Little. At least their approach does not destabilize the workforce, detract from the instructional process, and cause undue stress for teachers and parents alike, particularly when one knows what the legislative outcome will be. Someone in that school district has experience in management similar to what is found in the corporate world; something far too many school administrators who started life as football coaches know about. And I know after experiencing/watching Texas public schools operate for 20+ years and having 34 years in management. with Gen. Dynamics/Lockheed Int.

"At least their approach does not destabilize the workforce, detract from the instructional process, and cause undue stress for teachers and parents alike, particularly when one knows what the legislative outcome will be."

If that isn't spoken like a true board member. Please explain what their approach is. You obviously know a great deal while everyone else in Alvord has not been told one thing except who has been hired!

What a joke! Offering a $6000 one time pymt for experienced teachers to take a hike? That's flat out an insult! Why not offer those teachers at least another year's salary so those teachers can buy another year from TRS toward retirement. $6000 won't do anything except pay property taxes for one year! Get real!

You obviously are having trouble comprehending the English language. Let me reiterate (or if that word is too big for you, let me say again) "the Alvord board APPEARS"; these are my OBSERVATIONS. The same observations can be made about Boyd and Slidell, as they have also refused, to the best of my knowledge, to be drawn into a knee jerk reaction without all the facts. I only defend Alvord because they are the ones in question. You on the other hand have a serious problem with the Alvord schools, whether it be personal or professional. But based upon my years of training as a manager responsible for hundreds of employees, I recommend professional counceling before you become consumed with whatever fire burns within you. You sir or ma'am, have a serious mental issue.

3:05The two positions that were filled will end up saving the district thousands. Watch and see. A handful of quality employees can easily out-work and out-perform a multitude of dead weight, bench sitters who want to gripe about everything, but do nothing. And trust me - every school in Wise County has plenty of those kinds of people to get rid of - including Alvord. So while you're sitting in that warm water, consider this - moving water is rarely warm; but still waters are often quite toasty and reek of urine. Just sayin'.

4:58 "Income" to the state can only come from us, the taxpayer. The reason our local school boards are dealing with a state wide budget deficit is caused by a downturn in the economy that means lower sales tax receipts.

Republican governors and legislatures are not going to raise taxes to give schools more money. Why? Because we need jobs, not higher taxes on businesses.

Labor unions and Democrats can create chaos and shut down every state to keep the status quo until we all go bankrupt.

It is time we all become responsible by being fiscal conservative. Our school boards will find a way to cut costs by going back to basics. Children will continue to learn.

As we come together we will all find a way to work our way out of a deficit and grow stronger as a community and a nation.

I love Chico and its Football program. Its so much better now that Hart is gone.Thank you for firing HART. Thank you for firing HART! Thank you for firing HART ? You all are the smartest people. Thank you for firing Hart.

No unions here. "Workers in the real world pay 50% of their health insurance." WOW!!! Why don't you take a look at what most teachers pay for their insurance. Some school might pay all or a portion of a teachers insuarnce, but trust me, we pay for it in the end.

6:46........things that have been done.....Athletes dont act like thugs, athletes pass their classes, Coaches dont cuss the kids, kids dont cuss the coaches, kids have a since of pride now....that is just a few. It wasnt that Hart was bad, it was time for a change. the change has been good. Its funny how people get on here and stir the pot. Coach Hart is a Coach Carter supporter. They are friends, they will continue to be friends. Its not personal , its business. The time for Carter to leave may come one day as well.

I think if you leave comment here about Chico, you should say if your from Chico. What i don't understand is how they can cut teachers at the high school level. We do not have multiple teachers teaching same subjects. I understand that all AP courses will be cut. The nurse and librarian are going. There are so many problems with this school district. A school board that have their hands in the day to day operations. A superintendent that is useless and overpaid. Sham on you Mike for taking a raise when our students are having to give up even more. Chico schools don't have much to offer to make a well rounded student and now what little extras we have will be cut. Now lets talk about the new head coach Carter, this guy is a total douche bag. He is to inexperienced for the job. He keeps his distance from his athletes, never becoming to close to them. He afraid in becoming involved with them personally and he has made that very clear, he is not here to parent them or mentor to them. He is here to coach only. This guy has no clue what it means to be a head coach. He told the athletes that all he heard before he came here was coach Hart's was the problem and he knows now the problem was not coach Hart's, then he walked off the field. Do we really need 4 places to buy alcohol in this little town? Mugs and jugs what a stupid name. It sounds like a bikers stripper bar. This is a small town with the same problems like everywhere else. The only thing that's different is the same old families that have been making decision in this town are still involved and can't think outside the box that isthis town. We need new thinkers who will do it the right way but the same old families who have been in charge will never let go to any outsiders. You are with them or they are against them.

5:23, your comment just proves my point about this town, with little intelligence and nothing to add to the conversion just stupid comments. Small minded people who believe in staying the course. Your just a blog troller making unnecessary comments. Please don't make any more comments, your just an embarrassment to Chico.....

5:02....To say Coach Carter doesnt care about the kids is crazy.....you havent a clue about what goes on in athletics....you must be a mad parent because he removed your thug kid from the program.....maybe he wouldnt let Bubba play.....

10:54 (Goober), I am 8:10, the one YOU say has some serious mental issues. Um.. if you will look again at what I quoted YOU as saying you will find that your new "reiterations" have not addressed the quote I posted. I posted a quote from you which said, "At least their approach does not destabilize the workforce, detract from the instructional process, and cause undue stress for teachers and parents alike, particularly when one(does not) knows what the legislative outcome will be."

Nowhere in that quote do I see the word "appears"... You SIR are the one in need of mental care. I find it particularly interesting that you say Alvord isn't having a knee jerk reaction.

I will say AGAIN ( since you obviously cannot understand English)..... YOU seem to know something more than the Alvord citizens or teachers know, obviously you are a board member or an administrator. My request (and let me reiteriate that request) "You obviously know a great deal while everyone else in Alvord has not been told one thing except who has been hired!"

Why don't you relay what cuts, etc. will happen in Alvord ISD, sir/madam?

YOU have still failed to outline WHAT the Alvord "approach" is to this debacle. That is the only thing I was asking for. The fact that your rambled on without answering that question tells me YOU have no comprehension of the English language.

Hey Goober, what kind of decent school board hires the super's wife as a principal and pays her a mega salary when the district is strapped for money? nepotism plus major big bucks = stupid!!! Don't even try to talk intelligence when that board pulled that stunt on the Alvord teachers! There was nothing wrong with the admin they had in place for the MS, but then an admin position was created in mid stream and she was moved to the HS so there was an open position for the sup's wife as MS principal. Now I bet your board is ready to let go of that HS assist principal position, right? Strange..... very strange.... that the new MS principal is drawing a much larger salary than the previous principal.

I am a junior at chico. This year was teh first time I felt liek I belonged on the field with other teams. I am speaking for everyone in athletics. We have more players we act right we pass our classes we arent wearing wife beater shirts to 7 on 7 and coach has brought back school pride. I can tell you I have learned more from Coach Carter about football and about life than Ihave learned the last 5 years. To say he stays away from is is crazy....he cares for us and we all know that. He even tells us he loves us. I dont hear that at home but I know Coach Loves us. so if you are going to be a coward and bad mouth my coach at least sign your name at the bottom or go talk to coach.....i am sure he would love to hear from you. Not sure igf you read this coach but thank you. You have taught me alot

We had Coach Carter in Paradise for 7 years. I can promise you that you wont find another person that cares and loves the athletes more than him. He is a good man and a great coach. The problem I have with this board is that people come on here and bash Hart, Carter, Neighbors, school boards and just about everyone. These people have families. their families may read this is it reall fair to make up things about GOOD MEN and then post them without signing it? Grow Up ......if you dont like the jobs these men do....run for school board, get a degree and see if you can out coach these men. I can tell you one thing our County is lucky to have coaches like Hart, Carter, neighbors and Story. All are great men that instill values in our young men and women. Thank you coaches.Thank you school boards for volunteering your time for our kids.

"What kind of decent school board hires the super's wife as a principal and pays her a mega salary when the district is strapped for money?"

A smart one. From what I hear, she cleaned up the mess that was created by the former admin in about a week. And if it is nepotism, (which according to TEA, it is not) then Alvord ISD was guilty when Trice was here too. As for her salary - the same as other administrators with her years of experience, I'm sure.

"Don't even try to talk intelligence when that board pulled that stunt on the Alvord teachers!"

Which teachers would you be talking about here? The two or three that did NOT sign the letter of support requesting Mrs. B as the pricipal, or the 20 or more that DID?

"There was nothing wrong with the admin they had in place for the MS" - HMMMMMM? 20 for change, 3 who didn't support the change. Sounds like there was something wrong for that many to request a change in administration.

I will agree on one point, it is "Strange..... very strange" that the new HS assistant position was created - most people that aren't doing their jobs, just get fired.And one last observation, by your rant it sounds like "someone" just figured out their non instructional, yet high paid position is about to be eliminated. Could it be one of the three that didn't support the change? HMMMMMM?

Everyone says you are a coward if you don't put your name, yet ya'll didn't put your names. If you are so proud of what you said take ownership of it. Everyone experience with coach Cater is different. What you have experienced isn't the same for everyone. Consider that other boys on the team don't feel the same way. They are hard working, get good grades and are not the ones who get in trouble. Their on the field just like you. How he was at Paradise maybe different since his job here has more accountable and responsibility.

Even though I've never had a child in Chico ISD, the junior football player testimony for Coach Carter is all we need to know! Kids learning life skills and building self esteem will turn into winning football games and winning later in life.

And thanks to Coach Carter for encouraging the kids to quit wearing those "wife beating" shirts.

Sometimes it only takes one person to make a difference in a kid's life.

7:37Know what you are saying before you post. You are comparing a 2-year principal's salary to 20+ years of experience in education. Her base alone would be more because of her 20+ steps. Look at principal's salaries everywhere - they are comparable. Do you think just because she is the sup's wife, she is less qualified and should take a salary cut? If so - that makes you the stupid one! Sounds to me like the sup and the board are doing a good job of putting quality where it counts to evaluate and determine the quantity that need to go. (which is the job of a principal, by the way.)

How do all of the principal salaries compare across the board? With other districts? And the superintendent for that matter? How much did they hire the new AD for? I think it is a shame that for the reputation that Alvord has for it's education, TAKS scores and good kids that the teachers are the lowest paid in Wise County.

Alvord has a great school. Teachers are all aware and knowledgeable and seem to love their jobs.

I wish Curtis Enis the best of luck and I hope he can build a boys program that is a GREAT as the girls program and that all starts with the kids in JH. Please don't change the girls program by the way. The Schmuckers are great people and great coaches. Coach Holson is also a great football and softball coach.

12:18I agree with everything you posted w/one slight addition. Holson is a good coach, probably the best one on the boy's side, but....his actions and mouth off the field are embarrassing - which doesn't set a good example for the kids. 12:09 - Do your own homework.11:44 - The principal is also accountable to the faculty. The evaluation process is the same for all, a concept Alvord hasn't seen for a while now.

The wife beater shirts were wore 3 yrs ago. That was what the boys voted to wear that year. Who care any way, it's just 7 on 7 football. It's hot and they wanted to be cooler. It just a shirt really... They had stopped wearing them before Coach Carter came to our school.

If you are from Chico and don't like it, then move. You would be doing everyone a favor. I am sure that more than half the town will even help you pack. You can get your moving boxes from Muggs and Juggs. It shouldn't take a whole lot of them to pack up your belongings...grab your sleeping bag and your whiskey flask and put it on your bicycle. Don't forget your Red Flyer wagon...it should hold your boxes of things just fine.

1:00 - That is what I am doing. Anybody got any numbers to throw at me? Certainly can't go up to the school and ask..that would put me, my family and anybody that knows me or has had any association with me in my lifetime in hot water. We are a closed campus after all.

Just heard that Chico is going to hire new coaches for the 4 who are leaving or have left already! This is after they cut 5 positions this week! Supt made lots of talk about student to teacher ratio being 10:1 and that was too low! Chico has 12 coaches and 69 athletes 7-12 boys/girls! That is 5.75 to 1! They have so many coaches that none of them teach a full load! They could not find classes for one coach to teach! We are going to hire back un-needed coaches but cut the FCCLA program that does not cost that much money: part-time teacher!! There is some funny business going on in Chico and the board needs to wakeup and find out what is going on! The administration faced no cutbacks! This school district has it priorities all wrong!

"1:00 - That is what I am doing. Anybody got any numbers to throw at me? Certainly can't go up to the school and ask..that would put me, my family and anybody that knows me or has had any association with me in my lifetime in hot water. We are a closed campus after all."All the info is open to the public. A closed campus? No public school can refuse to give you public information. You want it, go get it. The only hot water I see in your future comes from asking for accurate info from bloggers. How lame!

Oh great....that is just what Chico ISD needs....more coaches! Really...and yes, I am from Chico and have kids in the school system. Our Elem. and Middle school TAKS scores are great and the kids are well taken care of on these campuses. On the other hand instead of hiring more coaches why isn't the admin. and school board more worried about core teachers, FCCLA program, and classes that benefit the students on the High School Campus...This campus is a joke. It has been reported that one teacher at H.S falsified grades and she is still employeed! There is no discipline and the kids run wild. And for your information I know for a fact all the athletes do not pass their classes!! We have had to cancel JV games do to the fact some of the athletes failed and there were not enough kids to play the games.... In 20 years these students in school today will be our future. Lets hope they can read, write, and balance their checkbooks. Playing football is fun but, really...... will that game be paying you and your families bills in 20 years? The CISD system has its priorities all wrong. Get the focus off of athletics and get the focus back on what is good for our kids. Reguardless, if it is a FCCLA class, FFA class, or any other elective. Most of our kids are not athletes...why is the coaches to student ratio show it to be different? The update read that the supt. suggest that we lose our nurse, librarian, math specialist, MS/Elem Counselor, and the DAEP/ISS teacher (which if I understand the school has had someone in the DEAP program everyday for 2 years...so now we want to out source the program to pay someone else to run DAEP...where is the savings of fund in this crazy idea????) Where is the reductions in administration??? Did the supt. offer a pay-cut but, he is ok w/cutting the teacher pay??? If the AD threatens to leave if all his precious coaching positions are not filled this coming year....You are replaceable and well its been fun...but, our record was the same in 1A this year with extra coaches as it was last year in 2A w/fewer coaches. There have been coaches up there for years. These coaches have been w/our kids through thick and thin and get paid alot less. If you think our athletic progams success this year is all given to our new A.D. wrong....we have 12 coaches let them all share the glory. Way to go Lady Dragon coaches and athletes....y'all have done great this year!!

Y'all have been bad mouthing Alvord for 3 years...just leave us alone! We are trying to put things back together around here...and it is getting better everyday at AHS...I wouldn't want to live or work or send my kids to school anywhere else in the county.

The letter of support for the new MS principal was read outloud at that board meeting that all the kids went to support another teacher last month. 40 or more people heard it. It was written by the MS teachers and signed by the majority, according to the board president.

From 10:24 P.M. And one last observation, by your rant it sounds like "someone" just figured out their non instructional, yet high paid position is about to be eliminated. Could it be one of the three that didn't support the change? HMMMMMM?

Wow 10:24 are you actually implying that those teachers that didn't sign the letter to support the hiring of the superintendents WIFE for their principal are in danger of losing their jobs? I would think those jobs would be the most secure because if any of them are fired there will be grounds for a suit for wrongful dismissal! So is that what you are saying? Sure seems to be. Sure makes me wonder who you are.

I also wonder why if schools are in such terrible financial problems why Alvord would even hire a principal that had to be paid such a high salary. I'd bet there were many who had fewer years experience that would have loved to have that job for a lower salary than what is being paid now. Did you ever think of that? Why did it need to be the superintendents wife who was going to have to have a large salary?

Alvord is definitley in a mess and if teachers who did not sign that letter you said was to support her hiring are fired, then there's going to be a much much bigger mess. You really are not too smart to state what you did here. Not smart at all.

ALVORD MUTINY? Let me see if I understand this correctly. We have a dissident middle school teacher who is related to a member of the school board who pressured her peers to sign a petition that she took to the school board. Her grievance bypassed her principal and the superintendent, i.e. she took a collective bargaining issue from a selected labor class to suport her employment complaint directly to the school board. That is COLLECTIVE BARGAINING and IS NOT allowed under Texas law. The implication is that if the board did not comply with her wishes, it could result in a walkout. She now whines that the teachers who did not sign her threat be fired? Well, unions are heavy handed like that but I don't think she is the official "representative" of "organized" Alvord middle school teachers, and she does a pathetic job of even representing herself. Someone should be fired? Go figure.

10:41 - 7:47Talk about stupid - by your post EVERYONE knows who you are. It is obvious you were not at the meeting when the letter was read outloud. If you were, you would know that it does not fit the description of "collective bargaining."You say a teacher "pressured her peers to sign a petition that she took to the school board." Are you saying these teachers who signed a letter of support are not able to make their own decisions without someone pushing them to do so? I don't think so - I think they finally felt comfortable expressing their opinions, without relatiation.As far as "implying you would be fired for not signing the support letter" - that may have been the way of the former admin, but thank goodness its not the way of the new admin...If it were, they would send a "spy" to your classroom and catch you on the blog on school time. Try to have a good day. The kids don't need to suffer because YOU are bitter because you didn't get your way.

Lots of changes in principals at Wise Co. schools! Chico HS principal was let go-Bridgeport MS was re-assigned this week and not renewed-Bridgeport HS asst principal just walked out the door and said goodbye-Young elem principal re-assigned-and all the principal changes at Alvord! Wow!!!

So why doesn't someone say what the Alvord MS principal - the one before the one now - did that caused such a mess. I am from Alvord and I have friends who have kids in that school. I never heard one thing about her causing a mess there. What was the mess? What I did hear was there were some teachers who were not doing what they were supposed to do and were tring to cause trouble. Maybe some of you people are here are those teachers who wouldn't do your job. So who caused a mess? Was it those teachers or was it the principal?

6:29Then you are her husband. Getting closer?6:45Long story- but I will say you are listening to the wrong people if you think the teachers were not doing their jobs. They are an excellent group of educators. There are just a couple of bitter apples trying to make the whole barrel sour. They will fail.Moving forward - the staff and the kids really like the new principal - from what I hear, she is wonderful.

"There are just a couple of bitter apples trying to make the whole barrel sour. They will fail."

If that isn't the pot calling the kettle black. Who are the "bad apples?" Are you referring to the teachers who have done their jobs all along? The teachers who don't think of only themselves and have been supportive of all that AMS has tried? Are you speaking of the teachers who have been at that school for years and have had great success for those years with the kids? Are you speaking of the teachers who don't dump out on their coworkers on UIL competition days but are there to do their jobs? Are you speaking of the teachers who don't spread malicious gossip that causes division, are you speaking of the teachers who do follow the chain of command? Are these the "bad apples" you refer to? Have you now set your little unprofessional sights on them to run them off the same as you have run off other professionals? Then it is you who will fail. The "bad apple" has already spoiled the bunch and the school has lost a cohesivness that will be very difficult to get back.

Getting run off doesn't sound like a bad idea. You could go just about anywhere around here and make more money and you would not have to deal with the insanity which would be better for your health in the long run,too. Sounds like a win win situation to me!!! I would say "See ya suckers" and then not let the door hit ya on your way out!!!! Although there would be someone probably there to trip you and hit you while you were down. Sometimes it is better to just wipe the dust off your feet and move on.

6:50So many questions..so much bitterness. Wow, and you are up there with our kids? I agree with 11:03. If you are that unhappy, do everyone a favor and leave. I'm sure the majority will help you pack.

The new MS principal in Alvord is 110% better with the staff and the students that the previous one. I DO NOT work for Alvord ISD, but have a child that does attend the MS. She doesn't earn a large salary due to her husband being the sup. She has more years of experience and qualifications. Why should our kids have to suffer by hiring a less qualified principal, just to save money? She, as well as the WONDERFUL staff has made my child's learning environment great!!! Please get the facts before typing things you know nothing about.

I used to work with the former principle when she was a teacher in another school district and boy was I glad I never had to work under her. The one thing she was good at was screaming her colleages or students down. I can't beleive Alvord ISD was so stupid as to hire her an administrater. Talk about someone who does not know the definition of professionalism. At least Alvord finally woke up and got rid of her before she drove off a lot of great staff members. I just hope someone else is not as stupid as Alvord was and does not hire her in an administrator's position. She has no leadership skils at all!